Overview
- Sreekaryam Police registered an FIR against Dr CN Vijayakumari under SC/ST Act sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s), with officials noting the offences are non-bailable pending investigation.
- The complaint by research scholar Vipin Vijayan alleges the dean refused to sign his thesis after an October 15 open defence and made casteist remarks in front of teachers and students.
- The FIR records alleged statements that people from lower castes could not learn Sanskrit and that the professor would wash her room after their entry, with similar remarks claimed since 2015.
- Vijayakumari denies casteist abuse and says her refusal was based on academic grounds, citing poor defence performance, methodological flaws, and, as reported by one outlet, allegations of plagiarism.
- Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu ordered an inquiry by the Principal Secretary and directed the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar to take legal action if wrongdoing is found, while the complainant also filed with university authorities and the police.